The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMN-CABLECOMM-1994-12-22 } ' .'Dec l 22, 1994 City of Ithaca Cable Commission Public Access Committee Organizational Meeting *2 Call to Order 7:40 pm Present:- Harvey Gitlin (PAC Chair) ; Joseph Edkin, Benjamin Fan; Jean Finlay (Cable Commission Chair) , Jeff Hetzel , Will Kone, Patricia Lengermann, Bill McCormick , Robin Palmer, Lauren Stefanelli (TWC rep) , Absent applicants: Lynn Andersen, Jill Brantley, Patricia Button. Possibly Harel Barzalai , Nick Papatuis, & Barbara Smith Public Comment:- none "Old" Business: - approval of minutes of Dec 13 meeting organizational chart modification-- upper left arrow excised at request of TWB, although they "welcome" unofficial input Rev. Benson' s scheduling problem is being addressed informally by discussion with inheritors of his former time slot. The 15 minute offset on channel 57 canot be alleviated during this scheduling period, but may be dealt with later, by reallocation of personnel and/or playback decks. For new members: Brief review of main responsibilities of PAC (see agenda) . Itemization of main policy issues also quoted in Dec 13 minutes . New Business:- Since Annie Ball will probably be moving to Tuscon, Pat Button' s application was submitted as a possible alternate. Patricia Lengermann submitted an application on behalf of Jill Brantley as well as herself . It was suggested that the video bulletin board and other methods be utilized to announce subsequent meetings to interested parties. • , , PAC Minutes 12/22/94 page 2 Introduction of policy discussions led to inquires regarding PAC authority and advisory perrogatives. Jean and Harvey addressed questions regarding the PAC mandate, and the committee agreed with Joe' s suggestion that specific policy resolutions be tabled subsequent to definition of the committee' s composition, qualifications, and responsibilities. After considerable discussion, in which the opinions of all present were solicited and received, The PAC unanimously set criteria for its membership according to the appended resolutions Additional policies in which a consensus was indicated but not yet formally resolved included : -- The incorporation of a minority report for non-unanimous PAC recommendations , The rejection of an age requirement for membership on the PAC, The opening of the possible membership base to all residents of the local TWC cable service area, Encouraging democratization of access-related input wherever possible; including, at Jeff' s suggestion, dilineating between technical issues which require specialized expertise, and "political " issues, which might be better resolved by votes from access participants as a whole. Provisions to encourage notification of the PAC or its chair regarding member absences and to replace consistent absentees if necessary . (for incorporation into the rules of the permanent PAC, if they so desire) . Finally, Bill McCormick introduced a written at the end of the meeting, which was tabled by a 6-1 vote for discussion at the next meeting. Next meeting scheduled for January 9 at 7 : 30 at GIAC conference room accessible from Albany St.entrance. Note that it is a different (and larger) room than current meeting place. Meeting Adjourned at 9:05 pm Minutes submitted by Harvey Gitlin RESOLUTION 1 : We, (delegates present and those who have declared their interest in forming the Public Access Committee) resolve to accept charge of the responsiblities as a pro tempore committee, acting for 6 months, following which a permanent 9 member Public Access Committee will be formed, consisting of : -- 4 members to be elected by all qualified volunteers at the PEGASYS public access facility : 2 members for a one-year term and 2 members for a two-year term, and. . . 5 members to be appointed by the Ithaca City Cable Commission: 3 members for a two-year term and 2 members for a one-year term. Any vacancies between terms of election are to be filled by the recommendation of the Public Access Committee. (passed unanimously 7-0) RESOLUTION 2: We request that TimeWarner Cable make the access coordinator or her representative available to attend all Public Access Committee meetings in an advisory capacity. (passed unanimously 7-0) Dec 13, 1994 City of Ithaca Cable Commission Public Access Committee Organizational Meeting Call to Order 7:40 PM Present:- Harvey Gitlin (PAC Chair) ; Annie Ball ; Joseph Edkin, Will Kone; Robin Palmer, Lauren Stefanelli (TWC rep) , Jean Finlay (Cable Commission Chair) Absent possible members: Lynn Andersen, Harel Barzalai , Clay Hamilton, Rick Lawrence, Bill McCormick, Barbara Smith, etc. Introduction by Chair Member Introductions Public Comment: -- Harvey and Jean addressed general questions regarding mandate of Public Access Committee from the City of Ithaca and the Cable Commission. Jean briefly addressed Robin's inquiries regarding scheduling policy mandates. Chair outlined main responsibilites of PAC:-- >> organizational chart: , differences from forme Cable Access Advisory Board organization CAAB explained (addition of Educational & Governmental Committees; function of "Committee of Chairs") ICable Commission 14+1 lime Warner Cable! I Committee of Chairs+ non-voting TWC& City Rep.' Educational Pubic Access Governmental >> 2% capital budget allocation and equipment recommendation >> Investigation and administration of not-for-profit status for public access channels >> Introduction to policy and procedural issues for consideration at subsequent meetings, e.g. scheduling, channel allocation, dispute resolution, assignation of edit, studio, and off-site facilities, new producer preference, studio hours, obscenity, censorship, etc. >> Additional discussion about how decisions are made and ratified by PAC, ICC, the City of Ithaca, TimeWarner Cable, etc. and level of authority and autonomy for PAC in this heirarchy. Public Access Committee Minutes ----December 13, 1994 ----Page 2 Organization and administration of Public Access Committee:-- Composition: - ICC recommended that the majority of PAC members should be required to be Ithaca city residents. This requirement was unanimously rejected by the PAC, based on the argument that the best qualified and most interested membership can be selected from the largest pool , and that this would serve the city' s (and public access) interests better than rigid demographic restrictions. The concept of required "institu- tional" members was rejected by consensus for similar reasons, and because the definition of acceptable "institutions" would be entirely arbitratry. It was consentually agreed that the PAC consider the needs and requests of the entire TimeWarner Cable service area, in addition to the city, with the understanding that the subscribers in the city of Ithaca exclusively were paying higher rates (according to the franchise) for the funding of access at this time. It was briefly debated whether the TWC representative (Lauren) should be a voting member of the PAC, but the discussion was tabled pending a larger membership on the committee. Due to a consensus that the number of (unratified) persons present was insufficient for a quorum to formalize the PAC' s organization, an additional meeting was scheduled for 7: 30 PM on Thursday December 22nd. This would allow time for further recruitment and outreach. Commissioner Gitlin was charged with acquiring a location and posting it (GIAC) . Those present agreed to consider themselves as a pro tempore committee until the necessary membership was acquired and ratified. The preferred number of members was set at nine, with five members constituting a quorum. Meeting Adjourned at 9: 10 pm Minutes submitted by Harvey Gitlin